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Some of the boroughs have two or more dispensaries, while some of the hospital dispensaries serve two
or more boroughs.
A summary of the work of the dispensaries during 1919 is set out on page 51.
With regard to arrangements for dental treatment referred to above, the only borough in which a
scheme had been put into operation during 1919 was the metropolitan borough of Greenwich, in which
arrangements were made with the British Dentists Association to provide a surgeon dentist and equipment
at the dispensary, the work being carried out on one half-day per week. Other schemes were under consideration
by the Council at the close of the year.
With regard to institutional treatment, the highest number of beds occupied at any one time during
1918 was 80 for adults and 286 for children in voluntary institutions ; and 81 and 134 for adults and
children respectively in institutions belonging to the Metropolitan Asylums Board.
In 1919 the Metropolitan Asylums Board provided two new institutions for children—viz.,
Highwood Sanatorium for pulmonary and gland cases, and Princess Mary's Hospital, Margate, for
all forms of non-pulmonary tuberculosis. They allotted the Council 100 beds in each of these
institutions subject to the reservation that modification would be necessary in the event of the
remaining accommodation being insufficient to meet the needs of Boards of Guardians.
In addition to these beds, the Metropolitan Asylums Board allow the Council 100 beds for pulmonary
and surgical cases at Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton, and 60 beds for pulmonary cases (girls
and young boys) at Winchmore Hill Sanatorium. The total number of beds available for children through
the Metropolitan Asylums Board is 360.
In addition the Council has authorised 325 beds (including 25 observation beds) for children in
voluntary institutions, making a total of 685 beds for children.
With regard to adults, the Council authorised a maximum of 275 beds, including 75 beds for
observation cases. This number is regarded as sufficient to meet the needs of uninsured persons. Of
the authorised number of beds, 175 have been sanctioned in voluntary institutions at the cost of the
Council and the remaining 100 have been provided by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, who during
1919 opened an additional sanatorium for men at Pinewood, Wokingham, Berks, and acquired Colindale
Hospital, Hendon, as a'ready stated for men suffering from the disease in an advanced stage. The
Council commenced sending men to the latter institution in January, 1920. The following statement
shows the number of patients treated during 1919:—
Children.
Men. Women. Total.
Boys. Girls. Total.
Number remaining under treatment on 31st
December, 1918 39 98 137 197 195 392
Number admitted during 1919 153 537* 690 419 414 833
Total number treated during 1919 192 635 827 616 609 1,225
*This number includes 63 advanced cases admitted to St. George's Home, Chelsea.
In addition to the foregoing, the Council continued during the year the scheme of co-operation
with the Invalid Children's Aid Association for convalescent treatment of children. The grant made by
the Council for this work was £1,750, and the following table indicates the number of cases dealt with:—
1. Number of children away in January, 1919 178
2. Number sent away during 1919 489
3. Number under treatment 31st December, 1919 309
The number of children who have benefited under this scheme is therefore .. 976
Further provision for tuberculous children has been made in three day sanatoria attached to
dispensaries at Bermondsey, Camberwell and Fulham, the first of which closed in October, 1919, and also
three open-air schools for tuberculous children provided by the Council at Kensal House, Harrow Road ;
Springwell House, Clapham Common; and Stormont House, Hackney Downs. The following table gives
the accommodation;—
Three day sanatoria, 25 children each school 75
Kensal House open-air school 90
Springwell House school 125
Stormont House school 75
Total accommodation 365
Only two classes of 25 each were available during the year at Stormont House school. Reference
is made to this work in part II. on this report dealing with education.
During the year negotiations have been entered into between the London Insurance Committee
and the London County Council for the transfer to the Council of the responsibility for the residential
treatment of insured persons on certain terms and conditions.
Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.
On the 31st December, 1919, of the 1,673 cases being dealt with at the expense of the Council there
were—In institutions, 699; under guardianship, 10; under supervision, 935; in places of safety waiting
other action, 29. There remained 1781 out of the total number (3,454) of cases of alleged mental defect of
which notice has been received since the Act came into operation. These cases include 228 in which no
action could be taken; 538 ascertained not defective or not to be London cases; 341 dealt with through
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